\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

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[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6768,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6768,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6768,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6768,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6768,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6768,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6768,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6768,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

In recent years, this dynamic has been well demonstrated. According to a Washington Examiner analysis of hundreds of public records, Qatar's active foreign agents have given close to $700,000 to Congressmen and other government officials since 2020 while also having open channels of communication and face time with powerful lawmakers, frequently the same individuals they send checks to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6768,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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A Qatari foreign agent contributed about $30,000 to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) campaign committees between 2020 and 2025. In order to support Qatar's interests<\/a>, Graham's office gave his lobbying business a lot of access during that time. This included more than 131 exchanges between the office and the agent, in-person meetings, and phone conversations with the senator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, this dynamic has been well demonstrated. According to a Washington Examiner analysis of hundreds of public records, Qatar's active foreign agents have given close to $700,000 to Congressmen and other government officials since 2020 while also having open channels of communication and face time with powerful lawmakers, frequently the same individuals they send checks to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a 2018 scholarly study, when problems that are important to lobbyists are at the center of the political process, they boost their donations to certain committees and MPs. These lobbying payments may be driven by a desire to influence policy, as evidenced by another 2015 study that found that giving to a member of Congress improves access to their office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew King, a Qatari foreign agent who made large donations to Graham's political action organizations, has more than just financial connections to the senator from South Carolina. King spent almost 20 years as a senior worker in Graham's office, where he oversaw the office's Middle Eastern affairs among other things, before starting Neale Creek, his government relations and political consulting business. In addition to his own political donations, King is the treasurer and co-founder of 150 PAC, which has given thousands of dollars to Graham and other members of Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to materials submitted to the Department of Justice, King and Neale Creek engaged in \"the promotion of business with the State of Qatar\" by using the access that congressional offices provided them. Graham's native state of South Carolina has significant investments from Qatar. However, the DOJ's Foreign Agents Registration Act database does not contain the particular papers that were exchanged between Neale Creek and congressional representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of Neale Creek goes beyond Graham's workplace. The company has met with congressional sources in person, over the phone, over email, and through text messages, and has contributed close to $180,000 to members of Congress and related PACs since 2020. With almost $225,000 in donations made since 2020, Qatari foreign agents employed by Rubin Turnbull & Associates jointly made the largest contributions to political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communications from other companies representing Qatar provide some information, even if it may not be quite apparent what Neale Creek and King are saying to Congressmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, documents disseminated by Qatari foreign agents employed by Venable minimize the Gulf state's ties to terrorist groups while highlighting what Qatar considers to be the benefits of investments made by its sovereign wealth fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, one of these documents presented to policymakers notes that Qatar is \u201ca founding member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS,\u201d but it fails to mention that the founder of Al Qaeda, the forerunner of ISIS, found refuge in Iraq thanks to a member of Qatar\u2019s royal family. Additionally, the Qatari monarch offered Qatari passports and $1 million in assistance to Iraqi Al Qaeda militants. Another important source of funding for Hamas has been Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to Neale Creek, Venable likewise contributes a sizable sum to the congressional representatives whose offices they subsequently influence. Campaign finance documents reveal that since 2020, the firm's PAC has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to entities associated with congressional leadership from both parties.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Donations from Qatari lobbyists raise ethical concerns on Capitol Hill","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"donations-from-qatari-lobbyists-raise-ethical-concerns-on-capitol-hill","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-26 14:55:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7842","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6768,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_date_gmt":"2023-08-07 14:13:15","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Saudi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cristiano Ronaldo goes to play in the desert, in a league that, as a whole, is not worth the sum of AC Milan and Inter Milan, with a number of spectators comparable to the Hungarian league, with the only international outlet of playing a continental cup against the champions of Uzbekistan, China, Japan and Afghanistan - an Asian cup from which teams from countries like Israel, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do the Arabs want to achieve? Some 20 years ago, the Chinese also tried to grow their league by buying famous coaches and footballers from Europe, and the result was the same as in the first old US league with Pel\u00e9 and Chinaglia: bankruptcy. The difference is that in Arabia a quarter of the Arab league belongs to the state (with the problems of pasties I leave you to imagine), that the domestic spectator market (even in perspective) is completely irrelevant: the Saudi Arabian league is conceived as a league of old glories that, for the spectators of the West, allow Ronaldo and others to play efficiently, in an impressive choreography, almost until they are 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that this is a political operation by a theocracy that, using oil billions, seeks to gain the positive attention of the people of the West - for it has learned that 62% of American wrestling spectators reside abroad and that the European market, for American football, has become so important, that it has convinced the league to play some of the most important matches of each season in England or Germany. Economically, Europe is no longer central, but culturally it continues to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 'Arabian Nights' league comes about because other strategies in the field of sport prove inefficient: the Gulf countries pay billions to host the national cup finals of countries like France and Italy, but the public perception of this is very low. The Gulf monarchies own the strongest clubs in Europe, but the public does not care, PSG is the Parisians' team, and English parochialism is even more pronounced. The World Cup in Qatar was an advertising own goal, bringing in Formula One, cycling and even ice hockey moved nothing but mountains of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arab championship with Cristiano Ronaldo was born, because the Arab theocracies knocked on new doors: those of those who, all over the world, decide what should be broadcast on TV and what instead sinks into oblivion. One thing that happens without the public being aware of it: every day, for a quarter of a century, in the offices of an almost unknown company called IMG, the fate of world sport is decided: padel becomes an Olympic discipline and boxing is excluded. IMG decides everything, because it has the exclusive marketing rights to the Olympics, international football, and the television distribution of more than 2,000 world-class sporting events and more than twice as many competitions of national interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From left: Ari Emmanuel, CEO of Endeavor, head of world sport, and his best friend, Elon Musk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMG, part of the American multinational group Endeavor, decides that motorcycling, in which now almost only Italians and Spaniards compete, will continue to be on TV. It represents the rights of thousands of sportspeople of the most disparate disciplines, looking after their interests beyond proxies - it is not only concerned with making them earn a lot of money, but also with building around them a competition that enhances their media value - a path indicated more than half a century ago by wrestling and which, unstoppable, is extending to all other disciplines: just look at the effect of Leo Messi on the American football championship. David Beckham's Inter Miami is last in the league, then Messi comes along, trotting along, without anyone daring to give him a shove to take the ball away - and scores at least two goals a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does IMG get angry because they don't let them play in the European super league? Then let's move the mountain to Muhammad: let's bring the best players in the world to play in Saudi Arabia. Because, every now and then, IMG falls in love with a project, based on a single criterion: a discipline, however strange, how many spectators does it move? What is its spectacularity if televised? How many sponsors does it guarantee? Don't get me wrong: I'm not here to defend the glory of Greco-Roman wrestling, I understand the appeal of kick-boxing; electric Formula One unnerves me (because of the noise) but it is just as boring as Verstappen and Hamilton's turbocharged Formula One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we are faced with yet another profound structural change of what we had considered beautiful and immutable: the world population follows what it perceives to be like - and in the beginning this was the local team, no matter if strong or weak. Then we moved on to generations rooting for whoever wins (and therefore must continue to win no matter what), as evidenced by the financial rules of UEFA and FIFA that protect rich clubs against weaker ones. Now we are moving to openly piloted matches - like wrestling. The bet of IMG and the Saudi monarchy is that a crazy league of oldies, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals even after his andropause is desirable, will be bought by TVs all over the world, and will have fans of clubs that today are a laughing stock and will never clash with those in the real leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an experiment. Like many of the experiments of Elon Musk's friends - yes, because the founder and head of Endeavor, Ari Emmanuel, is also one of his most trusted friends. If, as I believe, we will suddenly see youtube teeming with Arabian goals and private TVs offering live matches, then we will know that I predicted the right thing.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The Arab football, son of the American sportocracy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-arab-football-son-of-the-american-sportocracy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6768","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6426,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-28 20:55:25","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phosphorescent beaches that glow in the dark. The first open-air ski slope in the Arabian Gulf. Billions of trees planted in a country dominated by desert. Trains that levitate. The highest rate of starred restaurants per inhabitant. Flying taxis powered by drones. An artificial moon. A car-free, carbon-free city built in a straight line in the middle of the desert for over 170 km. Robot-beetles cleaning residents' homes. This city supplants Silicon Valley in technology, Hollywood in entertainment and the French Riviera as a holiday destination[1]<\/sup><\/a>. All powered by 100% renewable energy. Too good to be true? Perhaps not: Neom promises to be a 'blueprint for tomorrow in which humanity progresses without compromising the health of the planet'<\/em>[2]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A daring, ambitious and mind-blowing dream of 'a New Future, the future of innovation in business, livability and sustainability<\/em>' - NEOM (Arabic: \u0646\u064a\u0648\u0645 ), was presented by Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 during the explanation of the Vision 2030 project[3]<\/sup><\/a>, the plan aimed at the economic, social and cultural diversification of the country, which will allow it to no longer depend on oil. The ecological city will be built on the shores of the Red Sea, in the desert in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, in the province of Tabuk, extending towards Egypt and Jordan (thus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe), covering a total area of more than 26,500 km2 - an area larger than the whole of Kuwait or Israel. It will cost more than USD 500 billion, financed by the state and local and international investors[4]<\/sup><\/a>. In 2018, Egypt announced that it is contributing by selling some land[5]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEOM (meaning the 'New Future'[6]<\/sup><\/a>) is not just a place, it is a mindset. It is designed, built and administered in a way that is free of outdated economic and environmental infrastructure. The city is designed for four major goals: 1) to diversify the Saudi economy and secure a leading role in global development; 2) to become the home, workplace and new future for more than a million people around the world; 3) to introduce a new model of urban sustainability and set new standards for health, environmental protection and the effective and productive use of technology; 4) to include research centres, sports and entertainment venues, tourist destinations - all on a human scale: liveability, health and well-being[7]<\/sup><\/a>. Total security: cameras, drones and facial recognition technologies are planned to follow everyone at all times[8]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is divided into three parts: THE LINE - a modern city designed with total respect for nature; OXAGON - its manufacturing and innovation city; TROJENA - the mountain tourist destination that will offer the Arabian Gulf's first open-air skiing. Everything will be managed by two NEOM subsidiaries: ENOWA, the Neom subsidiary created in 2022 that deals with energy, water and hydrogen, and NEOM Tech & Digital Company[9]<\/sup><\/a>. The holding company NEOM Company develops the project and is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia[10]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The XVRS platform[11]<\/sup><\/a> that underpins all functions and services in NEOM was officially announced last February in Riyadh, during LEAP 2022, the forum that aims to be the meeting point for the largest international TECH groups. XVRS, the result of a major investment by Neom Tech & Digital Co., will be tested in Neom, and can be purchased by other companies or cities that want to adopt the Saudi model of 'Technological Humanism', to implement functions and services. Despite the doubts raised by the project, the expectation for its realisation is very high[12]<\/sup><\/a>. Its CEO is Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who has over 30 years of experience at Saudi Aramco[13]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Line - the vertical city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The location of the new futuristic city - NEOM[14]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inhabited part of Neom, which can accommodate up to 9 million people, will be built in layers and levels - a straight line across the desert, only 200 metres wide and 500 metres above sea level, but 170 km long. No cars, no roads, everything will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of the land will be within walking distance[15]<\/sup><\/a>. The vertical green city with an ideal climate will be built for man and around man - happier, more prosperous: 380,000 jobs will be created by 2030, and many costs (such as insurance and car maintenance, petrol, parking, etc.) will not exist. The city that promotes education, research and innovation; here, talented people will be welcome[16]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shihabi, a former banker and the founder of The Arabia Foundation, who has been a member of Neom's advisory board since 2020[17]<\/sup><\/a>, explains that The Line will be built in stages, block by block. \"People say it's a crazy project that will cost billions, but it will be built module by module to meet demand<\/em>.\" Just like the traffic-free 'super-blocks' of Barcelona: each square will be self-sufficient and contain services such as shops and schools, so that everything you need is within a five-minute walk or bike ride away[18]<\/sup><\/a>. Once completed, The Line will be travelled by hyper-fast trains, with a maximum journey time of 20 minutes. The automated services will be managed by artificial intelligence[19]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of NEOM, \"THE LINE will overcome the challenges humanity faces today in urban life and shed light on alternative ways of living. We cannot ignore the environmental and livability crises that plague the world's cities and NEOM is at the forefront of providing new and imaginative solutions to address these problems. NEOM is leading a team of the brightest minds in the fields of architecture, engineering and construction to make the idea of building upwards a reality<\/em>\"[20]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxagon - the floating city<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The geometry of Oxagon, almost all by the sea[21]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OXAGON: the first floating city on water - NEOM's next-generation port and logistics hub, fully automated, will be a place where innovators and entrepreneurs can accelerate ideas from laboratories to markets; the factories of the future for the products of the future will be created here. An integrated physical and digital supply chain will offer unparalleled global port and airport connectivity[22]<\/sup><\/a>. Seven innovative sectors: sustainable energy, autonomous mobility, water innovation, sustainable food production, health and wellness, digital technology and manufacturing (including telecommunications, space technology and robotics) and modern construction methods, all powered by 100 per cent clean, carbon-neutral energy[23]<\/sup><\/a>. They call it Industry 4.0<\/em>[24]<\/sup><\/a> .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Prince bin Salman is enthusiastic about it: 'OXAGON will be the catalyst for economic growth and diversity in NEOM and the Kingdom, further fulfilling our ambitions under Vision 2030. OXAGON will help redefine the global approach to industrial development in the future, protecting the environment while creating jobs and growth for NEOM. It will contribute to Saudi Arabia's regional trade and create a new focal point for global trade flows. This new city, built around innovative new industries, has begun its development and we look forward to its rapid expansion<\/em>'[25]<\/sup><\/a>. And there are already some investors who believe in the Prince's dream and want to start their own projects within the Oxagon, creating factories with the latest artificial intelligence technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world's largest floating structure (over 7 km) is ideally located on the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal, the gateway for the movement of goods between Europe and Asia, through which some 13% of world trade passes[26]<\/sup><\/a>. At the heart of OXAGON will be the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), human-machine fusion, artificial and predictive intelligence and robotics, all coupled with a network of fully automated distribution centres and autonomous last-mile delivery vehicles[27]<\/sup><\/a>. On the Red Sea coast Neom announced a collaboration with Kaust Innovation (a Saudi Arabian deep tech research and development centre[28]<\/sup><\/a>) for the world's largest coral reef restoration project[29]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of OXAGON is well underway and plans for large production facilities are underway. These facilities include the world's largest ($5 billion) green hydrogen project involving Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM[30]<\/sup><\/a>; with the world's largest and most advanced modular construction factory (Gulf Development International Ltd[31]<\/sup><\/a>) and the region's largest hyperscale data centre, a joint venture between FAS Energy Co. and NEOM[32]<\/sup><\/a>. And it is here, in Oxagon, that a unique seawater desalination system will be installed that will provide (as early as 2023) pure, potable water, all powered by 100 per cent renewable energy (solar and wind), built by Enowa, Japan's Itochu and French giant Veolia[33]<\/sup><\/a>. The first productive tenants will be welcomed as early as the end of 2022[34]<\/sup><\/a>. On the 48 km2 of Oxagon, 90,000 people will live (the first in 2024) and 70,000 jobs will be created[35]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - the mountains of NEOM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trojena - a destination like no other<\/sub><\/strong>[36]<\/sup><\/sub><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trojena is part of the NEOM regional plan and is located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, with an altitude of between 1500 and 2600 metres and an area of almost 60 km2. The most fascinating area of Neom will offer unique experiences: there will be six development districts (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun[37]<\/sup><\/a>) organised around real and virtual architectural structures[38]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project, which will offer year-round outdoor skiing, adventure sports, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and a luxurious high-tech vertical village (the 'Vault') around a beautiful freshwater lake, will be completed in 2026. The complex will include flats, chalets and villas, as well as hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to experience, wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 700 permanent residents by 2030[39]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March 2022, Mohammad Bin Salman, described it as follows: 'TROJENA will redefine mountain tourism in the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and improve the community's quality of life, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. TROJENA will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity. This forward-looking vision will ensure that mountain tourism represents another revenue stream to support the Kingdom's economic diversification, while preserving its natural resources for future generations<\/em>'[40]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti posted videos online in which he said he expected to be killed[41]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is fabulous, modern, innovative, but there is always a 'but'. Beneath the veneer of luxury lies a history of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed[42]<\/sup><\/a>. The site will be built on the home of the ancient Huwaitat (or Howeitat) tribe, a proud, ancient and traditionally nomadic Bedouin tribe that has lived for hundreds of years on both sides of the Arabian-Jordanian border and in the Sinai Peninsula. Revered in history as fearless warriors, they fought alongside T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt of 1917, who mentioned them in his epic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom[43]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For the Huwaitat tribe, Neom is built on our blood, on our bones<\/em>,\" said activist Alia Hayel Aboutiyah al-Huwaiti. 'It is certainly not for the people who already live there! It is for tourists, for people with money. But not for the people who live there<\/em>'[44]<\/sup><\/a>. The project promises to create jobs and generate wealth in this underdeveloped region, but so far the local population has not seen any benefits[45]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks after Neom's announcement in 2017, residents of the area went to the regional governor to ask if they would be relocated - he replied that he could not help them. This is not uncommon in the Kingdom - the relocation of residents in the interest of public works projects. In 2017, the United Nations condemned the forced demolition of the fortified town of Awamia, in the eastern region of Qatif, as a violation of human rights. Karima Bennoune, UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, stated that \"the historic buildings were irreparably burnt and damaged by the use of various weapons by the military, forcing residents to leave their homes and neighbourhood, fleeing for their lives<\/em>\"[46]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The council decided that perhaps some of the residents can stay if they are retrained to have the appropriate skills in Neom. The people will receive compensation and benefits, as well as 'new properties' within the kingdom[47]<\/sup><\/a>; including a scholarship programme to 'acquire the necessary skills to be part of Neom's vision<\/em>', according to official statements[48]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photovoltaic panels in the Huwaitat Desert[49]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the development of Neom, the Saudi government cancelled two cities and forcibly removed 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe, without compensation[50]<\/sup><\/a>. A relocation plan by the Boston Consulting Group foresaw a time frame until 2025. Urged by Mohammad Bin Salman to move quickly, the date was brought forward to 2022. Residents say they have only heard rumours. Some say the move would be devastating. \"You are dismembering an entire society. For us it is like dying<\/em>,\" said one of them[51]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April 2020, a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance[52]<\/sup><\/a> refused to be evicted from his house in Tabuk and started posting videos online. Days later, he was shot by Saudi security forces, as he had predicted in one of his videos[53]<\/sup><\/a>. Several other Bedouin tribesmen, who commonly possess weapons, were arrested for spreading slogans against displacement and for refusing to sign relocation documents[54]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Saudi human rights activist, Alya Abutayah Alhwaiti, who now lives in London, claims to have received death threats by telephone for raising international awareness against the futuristic city of Neom. Ms. Alhwaiti added that she was threatened with 'the same fate that befell Jamal Khashoggi'<\/em>[55]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How things really are<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A satellite image of a Neom project square in the desert (October 2020)[56]<\/sup><\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neom website claims that the first phase of the project will be completed by 2025[57]<\/sup><\/a>. The reality, for now, is more modest. A satellite image currently shows that a single square has been built in the desert. In addition to rows of houses, there are two swimming pools and a football pitch. Ali Shihabi says that this is the camp for Neom staff, but we are not on site to verify this[58]<\/sup><\/a>. The biggest concern is the sustainability of the project: will it really be 'the most food self-sufficient city in the world'? The project involves the use of greenhouses and vertical cultivation, a revolutionary idea for a country with only 1.5 per cent of its total land area classified as arable and which currently imports more than 80 per cent of its food. The same with renewable energy: the project predicts that 50 per cent of electricity will be from renewable sources by 2030, but in 2019 only 0.1 per cent of energy was procured cleanly[59]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critics argue that the project is mainly aimed at the rich. Palaces have been built for the royal family, and satellite images show a heliport and a golf course. Ali Shihabi claims that the city will accommodate everyone, 'from workers to billionaires'<\/em>, but admits that this is not how it is perceived. 'The problem with Neom is that it has failed in its communication strategy,<\/em>' he says. \"People think it is just a toy for rich people<\/em>\"[60]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign companies have long avoided investing in the country because of an opaque, unpredictable, religion-based legal system; corruption; and social restrictions that prohibit alcohol and require women to have permission from a male relative to travel. Prince bin Salman found these structures so entrenched that it was easier to develop a new city with new laws than to change the existing ones. In fact, in the new city it is proposed to allow alcohol and women's bare heads, which is a surprising proposal for conservative Saudi Arabia[61]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction of Neom requires money that Saudi Arabia does not have. The country has recently run a budget deficit and MBS has bet on a $45 billion investment in a fund of Softbank Group Corp, a Japanese technology company[62]<\/sup><\/a>. The money for Neom, therefore, has to come from abroad[63]<\/sup><\/a>. Large Western companies have to be attracted. In 2017, Neom's board of directors suggested guaranteeing Tesla Inc. billions in annual purchases from the government in return for Tesla's transfer of car production to Neom - and the sale of a stake in the kingdom. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund spent $2 billion to buy 5% of Tesla[64]<\/sup><\/a>. CEO Elon Musk later said he would take Tesla public with the help of Saudi Arabia, but later backtracked and said he had no plans to do so[65]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, the project has gained some important partners such as: McLaren Racing (with a new electric racing programme), Mercedes-EQ (Formula E Team, an automotive industry giant with the ideas of sustainable innovations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and OceanX (exploring inaccessible parts of the ocean, to conserve the ecosystems of the Red Sea)[66]<\/sup><\/a>. In short, international investors have not yet taken the bait. The scope of the project is vast and the region already has well-established commercial and transport hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Neom is inextricably linked to the Crown Prince, who as de facto leader of the kingdom has drawn the wrath of the Saudi war in Yemen and his alleged links to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi[67]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What has really been built to date: almost nothing[68]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Investors will start to get interested when the basic infrastructure is operational, so that they do not take the absolute green-field risk,\" said a financial source familiar with the project. In 2017, Softbank Group CEO said the company would work with Saudi Arabia to develop NEOM[69]<\/sup><\/a>. The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF invested around $45 billion in Softbank's inaugural $100 billion Japanese technology fund[70]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the project, which will run until 2030, will cost 1.2 trillion riyals, about half of which will be covered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Officials will seek to raise a further 600 billion riyals from other sovereign wealth funds in the region, from private investors in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and from an initial public offering of Neom on the Saudi stock market[71]<\/sup><\/a>: 'We aim to take Saudi Arabia to the top three largest stock markets on the planet<\/em>,' Prince Mohammed said, adding that he expects Neom's IPO to take place around 2024[72]<\/sup><\/a> and could add more than 1 trillion riyals to the size of the kingdom's market. Neom will start engaging key potential investors by the end of the year. Officials are talking to companies 'all over the planet' and many Chinese companies are already working on Neom[73]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia has promised to increase oil production just weeks after making major ecological commitments at this year's COP26 climate conference (which promised zero net emissions by 2060). According to the Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudis will not stop pumping: 'We will still be the last man standing and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out'<\/em>[74]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is talk. Prince Bin Salman has put a lot on the line, and not only financially. Should the project abort, it is hard to imagine that his power would emerge intact from such a crisis, not least because the multi-billion debts incurred will have to be repaid anyway. For him, there is only one direction: go ahead, no matter at what price. No matter, on whose life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site del progetto: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-41740626<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.egypttoday.com\/Article\/1\/56096\/NEOM-A-new-channel-for-Egyptian-Saudi-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.vision2030.gov.sa\/v2030\/v2030-projects\/neom\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1443891\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/cognitive.neom.com\/insight\/neom-tech-and-digital-co-unveils-xvrs.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1349021\/saudi-arabia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-announces-theline-designs<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/alishihabi.com\/bio\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/theline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/lindro.it\/canale-di-suez-ever-given-il-peggior-scenario-del-commercio-mondiale\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/innovation.kaust.edu.sa\/neom-and-kaust-to-create-worlds-largest-coral-garden\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.airproducts.com\/news-center\/2020\/07\/0707-air-products-agreement-for-green-ammonia-production-facility-for-export-to-hydrogen-market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/neom-agrees-to-1b-giga-factory-with-gulf-development-international-ltd-301305522.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/italianbusinessgroup.net\/it\/neom-il-giga-progetto-saudita\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-oxagon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/oxagon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/sup><\/a> Official web-site: https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/regions\/trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/newsroom\/hrh-prince-announces-trojena<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a> ; https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.datacenterdynamics.com\/en\/news\/neom-forms-joint-venture-with-fas-energy-to-develop-data-centers-in-saudi-arabia\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2020\/may\/04\/its-being-built-on-our-blood-the-true-cost-of-saudi-arabia-5bn-mega-city-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.moderntreatise.com\/international\/tag\/Huwaitat+tribe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/menarights.org\/en\/caseprofile\/abdul-rahim-al-huwaiti-executed-saudi-special-forces-protesting-forced-eviction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.agcnews.eu\/arabia-saudita-nuovo-problema-per-neom-la-tribu-huwaitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-52375343<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/earth.google.com\/web\/@0,0,0a,22251752.77375655d,35y,0h,0t,0r<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20171117200358\/http:\/\/discoverneom.com\/content\/pdfs\/NEOM_FAQS_ENGLISH.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/bestfoodimporters.com\/food-importers-and-food-import-trends-in-saudi-arabia-2020\/#<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2018\/10\/15\/tech\/softbank-stock-saudi-arabia\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/a-princes-500-billion-desert-dream-flying-cars-robot-dinosaurs-and-a-giant-artificial-moon-11564097568<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.neom.com\/en-us\/partners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/marketplace\/p\/PWyOa\/saudi-arabia-topography-n25e36-neom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-saudi-neom-idUSKBN2AW1HY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/english.alarabiya.net\/business\/economy\/2021\/12\/06\/PIF-s-partnership-with-SoftBank<\/a> ; https:\/\/agsiw.org\/public-investment-fund-grows-bets-big-on-tech\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.fastcompanyme.com\/news\/saudi-arabia-unveils-plans-for-neom-listing-by-2024-aims-to-be-among-the-top-three-global-stock-markets\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/saudi-prince-plans-80-billion-fund-ipo-for-zero-carbon-city-neom-122072601429_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/sup><\/a> https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/blogs-trending-59601335<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Saudi dream of a city in the desert","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-saudi-dream-of-a-city-in-the-desert","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6426","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6142,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_date_gmt":"2022-05-06 21:54:06","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rumours were already circulating in the autumn of 2021[1]<\/a>, but in these days the news has become official: AC Milan has changed ownership, and passed into the hands of Investcorp, the Bahraini investment management company[2]<\/a>. After the long Berlusconi epic[3]<\/a>, after the Chinese parenthesis of the bankrupt Yonghong Li (who paid more than 700 million euros and lost almost all of them)[4]<\/a>, which ended with the takeover by the American fund Elliott, now begins a new chapter. Elliott restored AC Milan, but he never wanted to keep it: he inherited it from the Chinese, who had not paid 370 million euros in debt to the American fund[5]<\/a>. And while Elliott and Investcorp are working on the closure of the contract, Li starts a lawsuit for compensation for about 320 million euros[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No surprise. The purpose of Eliott Management, like that of any hedge fund, is to enhance the value of an asset and then resell it at a higher price: \"Elliott is fully committed to bringing AC Milan back to the top of European football, leveraging on the principles of financial stability and proper supervision, now already firmly in place. Elliott has financed AC Milan's relaunch path in recent years, with over \u20ac600 million invested in the club<\/em>\"[7]<\/a>. A statement that corresponds to the truth. Elliott has fixed the budget, improved the team, is going to build a new stadium, and in less than four years has picked up a club of great tradition from the ashes and brought it back to be a reality of Italian and international football[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the time is ripe for a new change of ownership[9]<\/sup><\/a>: AC Milan will be the first Italian football club to be owned by a Middle Eastern player. There is no cultural shock: nine of the 20 most important Italian clubs are already in foreign hands[10]<\/sup><\/a>, and the Bahraini fund is offering a staggering sum: 1.18 billion dollars[11]<\/a> for a majority stake, thus leaving Elliott in the shareholding structure together with the partners who have supported it in the operation so far: Bank of America, Merril Lynch and JP Morgan[12]<\/sup><\/a>. With the money gained from the sale of Milan[13]<\/a>, Elliott is considering the possibility of entering the tourism sector, buying the Californian company Mondee[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is behind Investcorp?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Management Corporation[15]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new owner of AC Milan, Investcorp Holdings BSC of Manama (Bahrain), was founded by Nemir A. Kirdar (Iraqi, one of the most important private equity investors in the Middle East, who died in June 2020 at the age of 83 years[16]<\/a>) and has been led since 2015 by Mohammed Mahfoodh Alardhi[17]<\/a>, a retired deputy marshal of the Oman Air Force[18]<\/sup><\/a>. The company has a presence in 13 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Delhi, Beijing, Doha, Mumbai and Abu Dhabi[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded 40 years ago to allow the wealthiest families in the Persian Gulf to invest in the United States and Europe, Investcorp has spent a lot of money acquiring Western superstars such as Tiffany's, Gucci and Saks[20]<\/a>. But who are these tycoons? It is very difficult to say, because Investcorp hides its shareholders in a network of companies controlled by a holding company in the Cayman Islands, away from the prying eyes of those who demand transparency in the financial markets[21]<\/a>. The board of directors includes representatives of the royal families of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar[22]<\/a>. One thing is certain: as of March 2017, the main shareholder of Investcorp (20%)[23]<\/a>, is the Mubadala Group of Abu Dhabi[24]<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mubadala was founded in 2002 and, little by little, has become one of the most important industries in the entire Persian Gulf[25]<\/a>. It is led by the strong man of the United Arab Emirates government, Mohammed biz Zayed Al-Nahyan[26]<\/a>, who holds the position of Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates[27]<\/a>, and also controls EDGE Group and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): in short, he is the owner of the largest Arab military industry and one of the most important oil companies[28]<\/a>. He is the person who manages confidential diplomatic relations[29]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, is the world's largest arms broker and is one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American extreme right-wing supremacists[30]<\/a>. And this comes as a shock, especially to those who, today's old-timers, remember criticising Silvio Berlusconi because he was suspected of corruption...<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intercontinental missile built and sold by EDGE Group[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bin Zayed has brought together under the Mubadala umbrella all the real estate, military, high-tech, chemical and aerospace industries of his country[32]<\/a>, and is preparing the launch of the second UAE satellite, which will be in space from 2023[33]<\/a>. In order to increase his political influence, Mohammed Bin Zayed, with the EDGE group[34]<\/a>, has invested a billion Euros in the French state investment fund LAC1, which owns that country's public debt[35]<\/a>. In other countries, such as Italy, he weaves political relationships by offering astonishing fees to parliamentarians who visit Abu Dhabi and speak at international conferences - like Matteo Renzi[36]<\/a>. And he sells arms to all of them, and does so successfully, as explained by his faithful collaborator Faisal Al-Bannai, who in just two years has raised the military turnover to 5 billion dollars a year and states that 'a dramatic increase<\/em>' in turnover is expected[37]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Bannai has his own systems. It has bought one of the most advanced hacking systems in the world, DarkMatter, from the American secret service (NSA), which is used to spy, monitor, track, intercept political opponents, political leaders of other nations, journalists, artists, anyone[38]<\/a>. The team members, almost all of them former US intelligence agents, quit after a few months, frightened by what EDGE Group and Mubadala were doing with the software[39]<\/a>: \"They used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, allowing them to break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn't even need to click on any links or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets around the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\"[40]<\/a>. And the company's main client can you guess who it is? That's right, it's the government of the United Arab Emirates[41]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that's not enough: despite the stories of DarkMatter's first innocent victims being made public[42]<\/a>, in April 2020 Investcorp buys Germany's Avira Holding - a name you may know, because it is one of the most popular antivirus systems sold alongside computers and \"mobile devices\" in Europe[43]<\/a> - for $180 million[44]<\/a>. The press reacts with concern[45]<\/a>. In December 2020, Avira is sold to NortonLifeLock for 360 million dollars[46]<\/a>. This is not Investcorp's only purchase in the high-tech world: its portfolio already includes: a) Ubisense's SmartSpace, the enterprise software and real-time location solutions platform; b) Softgarden, a provider of human resources software; c) Calligo, a cloud solutions company; d) Ageras, an online marketplace that connects small and medium-sized industries with professional service providers; e) Impero, an online school safety provider; f) Contentserv, a provider of product information management solutions[47]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why sport now, and why Milan? Investcorp is not a national sovereign wealth fund and wants to compete with the sheiks who already have their own clubs (the Al Nahyan family, for example, already owns Manchester City[48]<\/a>), because sport generates notoriety, opens the door to politics, and bypasses the limits of geopolitical and diplomatic tensions[49]<\/a>. Last September, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president Mohammed Alardhi explained that the objective of the fund is to manage 100 billion dollars in assets (there are currently 41.2 in the portfolio), not only in the real estate and military fields, but also through acquisitions in the sports sector[50]<\/a>. For example, just under two years ago Investcorp bought 20% of Paris FC, which is currently in the second division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1996 Investcorp has acquired some 925 properties in Europe, the United States and India for a total value of more than $21 billion[51]<\/a>. Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested approximately \u20ac1.1 billion in 80 properties in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium[52]<\/a>. As of 30 June 2021, Investcorp managed $7.5 billion of real estate assets[53]<\/a>. In October 2021, Investcorp bought the Milan headquarters of Kering (18,000 square metres), the luxury goods multinational that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, for EUR 70 million[54]<\/a>. In Rome, for 128 million euro, it got its hands on a housing complex (32,200 square metres and 174 parking spaces) in Via Paolo di Dono 44 - the offices of IFAD, the United Nations agency that fights hunger in developing countries[55]<\/a>. The list of Italian assets continues: a) Cloudcare (digital sales)[56]<\/a>; b) Corneliani (51%), a luxury men's fashion brand[57]<\/a>; c) Vivaticket (integrated ticketing software)[58]<\/a>; d) HWG Srl, a Verona-based company in the cyber security sector[59]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to Milan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the fans don't care about any of this. Wherever they are in the world, as long as the team wins - as we see in other football leagues, especially in the English one, where the presence of 'uncomfortable' owners has transformed the Premier League into a league of world excellence. The Italian championship, without foreign tycoons, would be in an even more precarious situation than it is now - given that we have not won the Champions League for over ten years, and to find an Italian victory in the Europa League you have to go back to the 1998 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no need to play the moralist. But we must be careful, because bringing into the house a tenant who, by trade, sells weapons and instruments for controlling individual privacy, and manages death squads made up of mercenaries and ex-terrorists, can have repercussions in the long run - as demonstrated by the fact that today Germany cannot oppose Putin's Russia, because Gazprom has bought not only a football team (the Schalke 04), but also industrial, financial and real estate holdings worth billions of euros. And at its head it has a former social-democratic chancellor, Gerhard Schr\u00f6der, who has now become a very important figure. More important than Renzi, the Al Nahyan's friend, will be in the future, but in certain matters caution is never too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.acmilaninfo.com\/rossoneri-ceo-confirms-elliott-will-sell-ac-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/history\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/who-we-are\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/www.guerinsportivo.it\/news\/calcio\/2021\/09\/29-4755774\/il_milan_di_berlusconi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/11\/quanti-soldi-ha-perso-yonghong-li-con-il-milan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dailymilan.it\/milan-cinese\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2018\/07\/10\/milan-inizia-l-era-elliott-yonghong-li-prova-ridurre-le-perdite\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/serie-a\/milan\/2022\/04\/28-92266799\/_milan_riecco_yonghong_li_causa_milionaria_al_fondo_elliott_<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2020\/11\/17\/elliott-proprietario-milan-report-comunicato\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/www.milanlive.it\/2022\/02\/14\/milan-la-lezione-di-elliott-la-gazzetta-spiega-il-successo-rossonero\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.rainews.it\/articoli\/2022\/04\/entro-venerdi-la-vendita-del-milan-al-fondo-del-bahrain-investcorp-3ba2a91f-3024-42a3-85ad-cff269be1445.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.vocidicitta.it\/voci-di-sport\/il-milan-e-di-investcorp-obiettivi-e-strategie-del-fondo-del-bahrain\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/milan-in-vendita-trattativa-con-investcorp-fondo-elliott-potrebbe-rimanere-con-una-quota-di-minoranz_sto8892860\/story.shtml<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/26\/milan-data-cessione-investcorp\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/01\/17\/elliott-ricavi-guadagni-2021-miliardi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.calcioefinanza.it\/2022\/04\/24\/elliott-investimento-mondee-spac\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/investcorp-founder-nemir-kirdar-passes-away-at-83-20200609<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/people\/mohammed-alardhi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, fiscal year 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a> , p.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/contact-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/global\/2003\/0331\/026.html?sh=3667e9391e3e<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/governance\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> Corporate Governance Report, 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_2021_Corporate-Governace-Report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p-84<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/news\/investcorp-strengthens-shareholder-base-agreed-investment-mubadala-development-company<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/investcorp-bank-mubadala\/uaes-mubadala-completes-deal-to-take-20-pct-stake-in-investcorps-parent-idUSL5N1GP049<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2022\/03\/28\/emirati-il-grande-paradiso-dei-criminali\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/uae-leader-returns-after-lengthy-unexplained-absence<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/06\/02\/world\/middleeast\/crown-prince-mohammed-bin-zayed.html?module=inline<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/corporate-structure<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/our-history<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395303041684<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/www.agefi.fr\/financements-marches\/actualites\/quotidien\/20200224\/fonds-d-abu-dhabi-investit-milliard-d-euros-dans-293982<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/banking-finance\/441096-uaes-mubadala-commits-to-invest-in-10bn-euro-french-fund<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/mubadala-france-investment-idUSL8N1NF5SS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t0PVs5tY4no<\/a> ; http:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395300001690<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/uae\/government\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-meets-italian-pm-1.57337<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/hh-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-pm-matteo-renzi-umberto-trulli\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.edrmagazine.eu\/edge-ceo-looking-at-expanding-opportunities-and-increasing-turnover<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.arabianaerospace.aero\/leading-edge.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/emiratesleaks.com\/emirates-state-espionage-reality-enshrined-series-facts-scandals\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-spying-raven-specialreport\/special-report-inside-the-uaes-secret-hacking-team-of-u-s-mercenaries-idUSKCN1PO19O<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> \u201cThey used a cutting-edge tool called Karma, letting them break into iPhones around the world through a security flaw to steal emails, locations, text messages and photographs, said five former employees. Karma made it all too easy. Their target didn\u2019t even need to click on any link or download a virus. In 2016 and 2017 it would be used again and again on hundreds of targets across the world, including the governments of Qatar, Yemen, Iran and Turkey<\/em>\u201d, see more: https:\/\/www.trtworld.com\/magazine\/the-uae-s-covert-web-of-spies-hackers-and-mercenary-death-squads-23805<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.timesaerospace.aero\/features\/defence\/leading-edge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.nortonlifelock.com\/us\/en\/corporate-profile\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; DALLA FANTASCIENZA ALL\u2019INCUBO: LO SPYWARE DI REGIME PER IL CONTROLLO TOTALE | IBI World Italia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2020\/07\/21\/il-gigante-tra-gli-hacker-militari-compra-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-the-sale-of-leading-cybersecurity-provider-avira-to-nortonlifelock-for-us-360-million\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/www.arabianbusiness.com\/industries\/technology\/444852-baharins-investcorp-acquires-german-cybersecurity-company-firm-avira<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-germanys-leading-cybersecurity-company-avira\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/05\/30\/quando-la-champions-league-la-perde-abu-dhabi\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eurosport.it\/calcio\/serie-a\/2021-2022\/perche-investcorp-e-il-bahrain-ha-deciso-di-puntare-sul-milan-le-domande-sulla-trattativa-del-moment_sto8896302\/story.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> Investcorp Annual Report 2021: https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Investcorp_Annual-Report-2021.pdf<\/a> p. 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-attraverso-un-fondo-gestito-da-castello-sgr-si-compra-la-sede-di-kering-a-milano-per-70-mln-euro\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/real-estate-2\/investcorp-compra-gli-uffici-romani-dellifad-da-prelios-il-deal-da-128-mln-di-euro-porta-a-11-mld-euro-il-portafoglio-immobiliare-europeo\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/realassets.ipe.com\/news\/investcorp-acquires-fully-let-office-building-in-rome-for-128m\/10058738.article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/bebeez.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Investcorp-acquisisce-CloudCare-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/it.fashionnetwork.com\/news\/A-investcorp-il-51-di-corneliani-in-arrivo-nuovo-ceo,705765.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/bebeez.it\/crisi-rilanci\/investcorp-e-il-mise-si-aggiudicano-in-asta-il-ramo-dazienda-di-corneliani-per-oltre-172-mln-euro-appuntamento-con-i-creditori-a-marzo-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-announces-acquisition-of-vivaticket\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/blog.hwg.it\/investcorp-completa-lacquisizione-di-hwg<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.investcorp.com\/investcorp-acquires-italys-leading-cybersecurity-company-hwg\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"The new Milan of the Arab Militarists","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-new-milan-of-the-arab-militarists","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6142","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":6057,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_date_gmt":"2022-03-27 21:39:44","post_content":"\n

\u00a9 IBI World Limited<\/em><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>There is a tax haven that doesn't actually need the money from tax evasion, because it is still among the richest in the world. The United Arab Emirates have set up dozens of areas outside the law, and with these they earn impressive sums of money, but they use them to transform the country: with a construction sector that is unique in the world, with the installation of science-fiction infrastructures, with the desalination of sea water to transform the desert into cultivable areas, but above all to acquire power - a power that must be absolute, like the local monarchy, which knows no other law but the selfishness of its leaders, for whom human life is worth less than zero. What really counts are the weapons and the cyber security and attack systems, the mercenary armies and the international death squads. A time bomb, which risks exploding at any moment, and which is growing thanks to the cynicism and blindness of Western governments, which are allies of this terrifying little country in the Middle East.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When one speaks of the Arab Emirates, one's mind flies to Dubai. And it could not be otherwise: it is an incredible place, the mirror of imaginary future worlds. It's the Disneyland of consumerism, and every building is designed to amaze: Burj Khalifa, at 829.80 metres, is the world's tallest skyscraper, but it's also an indoor ski slope, complete with snow, while outside the scorching temperature reaches 45\u00b0C. And let's not forget the crazy artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira, emblematic proof of how capitalism can defy the laws of physics - and destroy vast and delicate ecosystems undisturbed[1]<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glitz and modernity fill every corner, glittering buildings fit between amazing structures with incomprehensible functionality: an overbearing, brazen exaltation of wealth. An army of poor people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, China, Thailand, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran and the Philippines[2]<\/a>. Their passports are confiscated and their wages denied (often for years[3]<\/a>), they live in dormitory camps made of containers stacked one on top of the other, in immense shanty towns without sewage and drinking water; they sleep six to a space of two metres by four, ready to go to work every day for long hours in terrible heat, where death is a daily companion[4]<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A horrible contrast to the ostentation, generated not only by the oil industry, but by global finance: banking, high-tech, commerce and tourism, and a thriving real estate market for a population that grows as wealthy Europeans and Americans choose the Emirates as a haven for their assets - Russian oligarchs, Taiwanese bankers, Lebanese traders and Iranian investors, all guests well received by a landlord who asks them for no identification - only their bank account. In the streets of this megalopolis, the business of one of the most impressive tax havens and money laundering crossroads on the planet is conducted. A country led by a ruler who is also the main businessman - and therefore brings political, religious and economic power together in the hands of a single family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From pearl pirates to powerful financiers <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gulf Emirates leaders meet in 1968[5]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federation of the United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 km\u00b2 (the size of Austria) and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with its 67,000 km\u00b2, occupies 86.7% of the country's surface area, which is largely covered by an arid sandy desert bordering on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Inhabited for centuries by a people of sailors and pearl hunters, it was converted to Islam in the 7th century, and its Carmati clan founded a sheikhdom powerful enough to conquer Mecca - only to begin a rapid decline, leading to the local tribes surviving on piracy[6]<\/a>, in an anarchy interrupted by the British army, which landed here in 1820 and imposed peace on the clans in 1853[7]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coast, once known as the Pirates' Coast, changed its name to Trucial Oman, which is nominally a British protectorate, although Her Majesty's Army has little interest in the area, and finally withdrew in 1971, paving the way for the United Arab Emirates Federation[8]<\/a>. Sheikh Zayed bin Al Nahyan, who commands Abu Dhabi, together with Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, are the advocates of the agreement between the six original Emirates reached on 2nd December 1971. The seventh Emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, joined the federation the following year[9]<\/a>, while Qatar and Bahrain opted for their own autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the first post-war period, geological prospecting for oil was conducted in the areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - and thirty years later, in 1962, the first cargo of crude oil was exported[10]<\/a>. The emirate's dizzying economic rise began: the oil revenue was enormous and profoundly changed the morphology of the desert - with the construction of bridges, roads, electricity and water supply networks, a telecommunications system and an airport, Jebel Ali. The entire federation, which in 1971 had a population of 279,000, bordering on nomadism, is rapidly transformed into a lively economic centre of over ten million inhabitants[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 1940 and 1977, Dubai grew from 20,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, which quadrupled in just ten years - and today it has almost three million[12]<\/a>. In 1990, at the height of the urban boom, Dubai's ruler Rashid bin Sa'id Al Maktum died and his son, Maktum bin Rashid Al Maktum, took his place. The new sheikh is the first to ask himself how to maintain his wealth the day the oil runs out: Abu Dhabi has reserves for more than a century, while the forecasts for Dubai are extremely pessimistic - there is very little time left[13]<\/a>. This prompts the sheikh to launch numerous ambitious projects in the fields of trade, tourism and services, so that the importance of oil is waning: while in the 1970s the percentage of GDP linked to hydrocarbons was 90%, in 2013 it was 28.2%[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maktum bin Rashid attracted worldwide attention with his pharaonic projects, and loosened the grip of a law that prohibited foreigners from buying property and now allows them to buy property in designated areas without requiring residence - a decision that gave a huge boost to the real estate market in the mid-2000s, which is now the fulcrum of Dubai's economy: in 2021 alone, 84,772 transactions were recorded for a value of 82 billion dollars, with the number increasing by 65% and the value by 71% compared to the previous year[15]<\/a>. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a special economic zone, a tax and customs paradise, was created in 2004[16]<\/a>. It is a 110-hectare financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets, where 25,600 professionals and 2,500 companies now officially operate[17]<\/a> - a paradise among tax havens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dubai's meteoric growth between 1990 and 2015[18]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need is a residence permit to operate in the banking system: you open a current account and can transfer funds without restriction and without control. The banks that have opened branches here (HSBC, Abbey National, ABN AmRo, Dresdner Bank, Barclays...) specialise in transferring not only money, but any kind of goods, no matter if they are prohibited elsewhere[19]<\/strong><\/a>. This explains the steep increase in the number of inhabitants: swarms of rich people arrive with their hidden business deals, and there is a need for lots of cheap workers (90% of the inhabitants are immigrant workers, most of them from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh[20]<\/strong><\/a>). And with this rapid expansion of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is beginning to suffer from competition, there is bad blood between the sheikhs, and the Emirates risk political implosion. The solution is similar to that found two thousand years earlier in monarchic Rome: the alternation between the Latins and the Etruscans becomes that between the Al Nahyan and the Al Maktoum[21]<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the Sheikh's men<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The map of power in the United Arab Emirates[22]<\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explain the organisation of the Emirates, given that it is a hereditary monarchy, it is sufficient to analyse the positions held by the most powerful men of each family, starting from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, third son of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum: 73 years old, Minister of Defence and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, since 1995 Crown Prince of Dubai and, since the death of his brother on 4 January 2006, Sovereign of Dubai. Known for his extensive collection of Maybachs, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, Lamborghinis and Mercedes[23]<\/a>, he is the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group[24]<\/a>, a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, owned by the Dubai government: the fourth largest airline in the world. He is the owner of 99.67%[25]<\/a> of Dubai Holding[26]<\/a> which has four main operating units: Jumeirah Group[27]<\/a>, TECOM Investments[28]<\/a>, Dubai Properties Group[29]<\/a> and Emirates International Telecommunications[30]<\/a>: tourism, shopping malls, construction and telecommunications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, it bought the real estate company Meraas, one of the largest in the country[31]<\/a>, but not all deals went well: in 2015, Dubai World was liquidated[32]<\/a>, a holding company that administered and managed the maintenance of almost one hundred properties owned by the Dubai government. These included the DP World maritime terminal[33]<\/a> (80% stake[34]<\/a>), Dubai Maritime City[35]<\/a> and the luxury real estate company Nakheel Properties[36]<\/a>. He is the founder and owner of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Investment Group (MIG) [37]<\/a>, an investment holding company, then founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives[38]<\/a>, a charitable foundation that coordinates 33 other charitable foundations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2005 he founded the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government[39]<\/a> (aka Dubai School of Government), then the low-cost airline FlyDubai, and in 1997 he founded the hotel management company Sheikh Mohammed, which manages the Dubai Burj Al Arab hotel, now part of Dubai Holding. He is responsible for the Palm Islands project, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre[40]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1992, he has been the proud owner of Godolphin Stables (United Arab Emirates, England, Ireland, Australia, Japan and the United States), whose horses have won over 6000 races worldwide, including 315 prestigious Group One races. He is also the owner of Darley Stud[41]<\/a>, the largest thoroughbred racing breeding company. He owns the 162-metre yacht Dubai, the fourth largest in the world, and yet, since 2008, he has been hiding an unspecified part of his wealth abroad, through a network coordinated by Axiom Ltd. Tortola (Virgin Islands), which in turn controls Tandem Investco Ltd. Tortola[42]<\/a>, Tandem DirectorCo Ltd. Tortola and Allied International Investments Ltd. Nassau (Bahamas) [43]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Abu Dhabi, the Al Nahyan family is instead in charge, long led by Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, national security adviser, the man who runs Emirates Defense Industries Co (EDIC), created in 2014 after the merger of some state-owned companies: Mubadala Development, Tawazun Holding and Emirates Advanced Invest Group[44]<\/a>. EDIC is owned by Mubadala Development Company[45]<\/a>, an investment fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (60%) and Tawazun Holding[46]<\/a>. In November 2019, the holding company was absorbed into EDGE Group[47]<\/a> owned by the UAE government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His offshore system originated with Victorian International Enterprises Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company cancelled in 2016[48]<\/a>, which controlled a stake in Al Seer Marine[49]<\/a>, an Abu Dhabi shipbuilding company, whose majority share belongs to IHC International Holding Company[50]<\/a>, a holding company chaired by Tahnoon himself[51]<\/a>. He is the President of ADQ[52]<\/a>, a State holding company, owns 45% in the Louis Dreyfus Company (an agro-alimentary company with seat in Rotterdam) [53]<\/a>, is the President of the First Abu Dhabi Bank[54]<\/a>, of Group42[55]<\/a>, a cybernetics company (involved in the ToTok scandal[56]<\/a>), and is President[57]<\/a> of the Aramis Partners Ltd. [58]<\/a>   an investment company based in the Dubai International Financial Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the chairman of the Royal Group[59]<\/a> (media, commerce, finance, real estate, manufacturing, construction, information technology, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, robotics, science and more[60]<\/a>) and is CEO[61]<\/a> of the Emirates Foundation[62]<\/a>, founded and runs the Advanced Science and Innovation Company, a new technology company[63]<\/a>, and for the weekend owns the 121.5 metre[64]<\/a>, $250 million yacht Maryah[65]<\/a>. His wife Khawla Ahmed Khalifa Alsuwaidi has set up companies in the Virgin Islands to secretly buy property in the UK[66]<\/a>: Caldora Trading Ltd. Tortola[67]<\/a>, Moonline Company II Ltd. Tortola[68]<\/a> and Spirea Associates Ltd. Tortola[69]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and is considered by Forbes to be one of the richest men in the world: in addition to controlling 97.8 billion barrels of reserves, he manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, with declared assets of $830 billion[70]<\/a>. He is the owner of SBK Holding Llc[71]<\/a>, and is mainly involved in real estate: since 1995 he has spent $2 million to buy more than 66 acres of land on the main island of the Seychelles, Mah\u00e9, where his palace is being built, owns luxury properties in London worth more than $1.7 billion and owns Azzam[72]<\/a>, the world's longest yacht 590 feet (180 m), costing between $400 and $600 million a year. Panamanian trustee Mossack y Fonseca has managed more than 30 of its offshore companies, through which it owns commercial and residential properties in expensive areas of London such as Kensington and Mayfair[73]<\/a>. Property acquisitions have reached a value of \u00a35.5 billion[74]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His brother Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the deputy prime minister of the Emirates, the minister of presidential affairs, he is married to a daughter of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, he got into trouble because he was involved in the 1MDB scandal[75]<\/a>, and because his yacht Topaz was allegedly paid for with stolen funds[76]<\/a>. He is on the board of directors of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs[77]<\/a>, of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) [78]<\/a>, he is the president of the Emirates Investment Authority[79]<\/a>, since 2005 he has been a board member of the Supreme Petroleum Council[80]<\/a>, a member of the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) [81]<\/a>, former President of IPIC, sovereign fund then absorbed in 2017 by Mubadala Investment Company[82]<\/a>, President[83]<\/a> of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) [84]<\/a> and of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority[85]<\/a>, all government agencies that control the regularity of the financial and agro-alimentary markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Mansour is vice-president of the Sheikh Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation[86]<\/a>, president of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development[87]<\/a>, vice-president of the Mubadala Investment Company[88]<\/a>, has a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic[89]<\/a>, has invested 280 million dollars in space flights for tourists[90]<\/a>; He owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation, collaborates with British Sky Broadcasting in Sky News Arabia, and is the owner of Abu Dhabi United Group, an investment company set up in 2008 to lead the acquisition of Manchester City Football Club[91]<\/a>, is the owner of Newton Investment and Development Llc and owns the yacht Topaz[92]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed Dahlan (left), the killer of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and his friend Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (right)[93]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most important man is another: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is the brother of the present sovereign, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose position he will inherit when he dies - therefore, he is the most powerful man in the Emirates and, perhaps, in the entire Middle East[94]<\/a>. He is the Minister of Defence of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Emirates, he is the head of the Mubadala Investment Company, the patrimonial fund of Abu Dhabi[95]<\/a>, he is the head of the EDGE Group, he is the CEO of ADNOC and the owner of the yacht Rabdan[96]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is the man who coordinates the activities of the Al-Nahyans, manages confidential diplomatic relations[97]<\/a>, coordinates the secret police and various mercenary organisations, directs the strategy of cyber warfare companies, and is the world's largest legal arms broker and one of the main sponsors of Donald Trump and the American supremacist far right[98]<\/a>. He is also the man who brought to the Emirates the most unscrupulous, dangerous and reputable businessmen on the planet, who today, thanks to more than 19,000 offshore companies, manage assets in excess of 100 billion dollars[99]<\/a>. And he is the man who has forged a historic political and military alliance - simultaneously - with Israel and Iran[100]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new world capital of gold and money laundering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (left) and Mohamed Shakarchi (right)[101]<\/strong><\/a><\/sub><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the emirate of Abu Dhabi began to think about the future after oil some 30 years ago, the Al-Maktoum family invested in gold and silver - setting up a refinery, the Emirates Gold DMCC, capable of transforming any quantity of metals, no matter where they come from, into legal ingots[102]<\/a>. To achieve this result, the Al-Maktoum family invited Mahmoud Kassem Shakarchi to Dubai, an Iraqi businessman who, in the 1960s, made his money in Lebanon through smuggling[103]<\/a> and then moved to Switzerland, where he founded Shakarchi Trading, a trading company which soon ended up in the crosshairs of the Italian magistracy, and with the money earned from that first experience, created the first refineries in Ticino, famous as an instrument of world organized crime[104]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shakarchi surrounded himself with influential people, such as the lawyer Hans W. Kopp, chairman of the board of directors of Shakarchi Trading and husband of the Federal Minister of Justice Elizabeth Kopp. When Hans ended up in the criminal investigation documents, his wife protected him and, later, overwhelmed by the scandal, was forced to resign - when Shakarchi had by then left Switzerland for the Emirates[105]<\/a>, maintaining a legal refinery, Pamp in Castel San Pietro[106]<\/a>, and a network of offshore companies, the leader of which is the Sharaf Trust in Nassau (Bahamas). Today the Shakarchi family, led (after the patriarch's death in 2012) by his son Marwan, is present with the MKS Group all over the world: Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States, Switzerland, China and, obviously, the Emirates[107]<\/a>. The holding company is in the Bahamas, MKS Holding Ltd. Nassau[108]<\/a>, and the group serves all the major traffickers and smugglers of gold and silver on the planet[109]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Emirates have for years been a candidate for the watch list of countries which support organised crime[110]<\/a>, especially since the offshore zones in the Emirates have become 39, scattered throughout the national territory, each independent from the others[111]<\/a>, so that hidden capital becomes almost impossible to search for, even with the support of requests for international legal rogatory[112]<\/a>. But inclusion in these lists would not change anything: until the international community prevents the existence of areas in which even the laws on the military intangibility of nations are worthless, the Emirates will continue to grow, to build military bases in foreign countries[113]<\/a> and to send death squads, led by mercenaries ready for anything, wherever the Sheiks feel their dreams of power are threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> https:\/\/dukespace.lib.duke.edu\/dspace\/bitstream\/handle\/10161\/104\/Salahuddin%20MP%202006.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/news.mongabay.com\/2005\/08\/dubais-artificial-islands-have-high-environmental-cost\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/2021\/06\/13\/la-kafala-araba-una-schiavitu-pari-a-quella-dei-neri-nellamerica-sudista\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=jss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/fanack.com\/qatar\/history-of-qatar\/rise-of-the-thani-family\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/03068372708724956?journalCode=raaf19<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/u.ae\/en\/more\/history-of-the-uae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10]<\/a> https:\/\/www.geoexpro.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/the-abu-dhabi-oil-discoveries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ice.it\/it\/mercati\/emirati-arabi-uniti\/informazioni-paese<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12]<\/a> https:\/\/worldpopulationreview.com\/world-cities\/dubai-population<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13]<\/a> https:\/\/www.elibrary.imf.org\/view\/journals\/002\/2005\/268\/article-A003-en.xml<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14]<\/a> https:\/\/www.oasiscenter.eu\/it\/politica-economia-relazioni-internazionali-degli-emirati-arabi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zawya.com\/en\/business\/dubai-records-84-772-real-estate-transactions-worth-82bln-in-2021-dld-cc3lcm49<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/english-common-law<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17]<\/a> https:\/\/www.difc.ae\/about\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18]<\/a> https:\/\/wenr.wes.org\/2018\/08\/education-in-the-united-arab-emirates<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22]<\/a> https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2020\/07\/07\/political-economy-of-dubai-pub-82182<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23]<\/a> https:\/\/autobizz.in\/dubai-king-car-collection-king-sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-car-collection\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emirates.com\/english\/about-us\/our-people\/leadership-team\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25]<\/a> https:\/\/www.hitc.com\/en-gb\/2021\/12\/21\/sheikh-mohammeds-net-worth-revealed-amid-550m-divorce-settlement\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaiholding.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27]<\/a> https:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/jumeirah-group\/about-jumeirah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28]<\/a> https:\/\/tecomgroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dp.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eitl.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[31]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeastmonitor.com\/20200610-dubai-ruler-incorporates-property-firm-meraas-into-dubai-holding\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[32]<\/a> https:\/\/find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk\/company\/08167108<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[33]<\/a> https:\/\/www.dpworld.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[34]<\/a> https:\/\/www.clingendael.org\/publication\/dubai-ports-world-uae-foreign-policy-tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[35]<\/a> https:\/\/dubaimaritimecity.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[36]<\/a> https:\/\/harraiyatimes.com\/bitcoinprice\/sheikh-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-net-worth-2022\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[37]<\/a> https:\/\/www.apollo.io\/companies\/Sheikh-Maktoum-Bin-Mohammed-Al-Maktoum-Investment-Group\/5e578f78fefac200016043ba?chart=count<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[38]<\/a> https:\/\/www.almaktouminitiatives.org\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[39]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mbrsg.ae\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[40]<\/a> https:\/\/it.wikichamsoc.com\/545638-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-RRGIYK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[41]<\/a> https:\/\/www.darley.com.au\/about-us\/introduction<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[42]<\/a> https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/21075169-axiom-telecom-llc-co-owned-by-sheikh-mohammed-was-owner-of-tandem-investco-limited<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[43]<\/a> https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/pandora-papers-uae-dubai-ruler-sheikh-mohammed-offshore-companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[44]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[45]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[46]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tawazun.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[47]<\/a> https:\/\/edgegroup.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[48]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10100683<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[49]<\/a> https:\/\/alseermarine.ae\/author\/admin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[50]<\/a> https:\/\/ihcuae.com\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[51]<\/a> https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/ihc-surges-subsidiary-alpha-dhabis-abu-dhabi-debut-2021-06-27\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[52]<\/a> https:\/\/adq.ae\/who-we-are\/our-board-of-directors?language_content_entity=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[53]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ldc.com\/press-releases\/louis-dreyfus-company-to-enter-into-strategic-partnership-with-adq\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[54]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bankfab.com\/en-ae\/about-fab\/group\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[55]<\/a> https:\/\/g42.ai\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[56]<\/a> https:\/\/medium.com\/@billmarczak\/how-tahnoon-bin-zayed-hid-totok-in-plain-sight-group-42-breej-4e6c06c93ba6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[57]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/profile\/person\/19281586<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[58]<\/a> https:\/\/www.aramispartners.com\/board_directors.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[59]<\/a> https:\/\/www.royalgroupuae.com\/about-us.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[60]<\/a> https:\/\/craft.co\/royal-group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[61]<\/a> https:\/\/wam.ae\/en\/details\/1395302644916<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[62]<\/a> https:\/\/www.emiratesfoundation.ae\/ef\/leardership\/board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[63]<\/a> https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14---%22tahnoon-bin-zayed%22----what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the-uae--.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[64]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/maryah\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[65]<\/a> https:\/\/yachtbible.com\/maryah-yacht\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[66]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/13001907?e=true<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[67]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10129829?e=true?e=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[68]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10094618<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[69]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/nodes\/10133200<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[70]<\/a> https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/profile\/khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan\/?sh=5da3665862a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[71]<\/a> https:\/\/www.sbkholding.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[72]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/azzam\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[73]<\/a> https:\/\/offshoreleaks.icij.org\/stories\/khalifa-bin-zayed-bin-sultan-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[74]<\/a> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/ng-interactive\/2020\/oct\/18\/revealed-sheikh-khalifas-5bn-london-property-empire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[75]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[76]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pandorarivista.it\/articoli\/dubai-ultima-utopia-di-emanuele-felice\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[77]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/abu-dhabi-to-establish-a-new-supreme-council-for-financial-and-economic-affairs\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[78]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adia.ae\/en\/investments\/governance\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[79]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[80]<\/a> https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/person\/sheikh-mansour-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[81]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adnoc.ae\/en\/our-story\/adnoc-board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[82]<\/a> https:\/\/pitchbook.com\/profiles\/limited-partner\/52325-11#overview<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[83]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/governance\/board-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[84]<\/a> https:\/\/www.eia.gov.ae\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[85]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adafsa.gov.ae\/English\/AboutADFCA\/Pages\/default.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[86]<\/a> https:\/\/www.zayedchf.gov.ae\/Home\/index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[87]<\/a> https:\/\/www.adfd.ae\/english\/NewsandEvents\/Pages\/IndividualNews.aspx?Name=165<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[88]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[89]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[90]<\/a> https:\/\/www.breakingtravelnews.com\/news\/article\/sheikh-mansour-buys-32-stake-in-virgin-galactic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[91]<\/a> https:\/\/www.cityfootballgroup.com\/our-business\/ownership\/#:~:text=As%20the%20owner%20of%20the,Cups%20and%20an%20FA%20Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[92]<\/a> https:\/\/www.superyachtfan.com\/yacht\/a-plus\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[93]<\/a> https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/de\/mohammed-dahlan-auftragsmoerder-fuer-den-koenig\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[94]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[95]<\/a> https:\/\/www.mubadala.com\/en\/who-we-are\/board-of-directors\/his-highness-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[96]<\/a> https:\/\/gulfbusiness.com\/uaes-adnoc-appoints-new-managing-director-restructures-to-form-executive-board-of-directors\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[97]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf<\/a>, Chapter 3.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[98]<\/a> Le-Lobby-Anti-Qatar-1.pdf (ibiworld.eu)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[99]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ticc.nz\/_files\/ugd\/bed789_550b2be8b3024ce9ae2c3a9a558ddeaa.pdf?index=true<\/a> , pp. 21-30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[100]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/ce09911b-041d-4651-9bbb-d2a16d39ede7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[101]<\/a> https:\/\/www.lbma.org.uk\/alchemist\/issue-101\/in-remembrance-mohamad-shakarchi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[102]<\/a> http:\/\/www.emiratesgold.ae\/ceo-message.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[103]<\/a> https:\/\/www.thenationalnews.com\/business\/mohamed-shakarchi-man-with-the-golden-touch-1.576402<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[104]<\/a> Pascal Auchlin, Frank Garbely, \u201cDas Umfeld eines Skandals\u201c, Wird Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1990; https:\/\/www.e-periodica.ch\/cntmng?type=pdf&pid=sum-002:1991:17::145<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[105]<\/a> Res Strehle, \u201cDamengambit \u2013 Die Frau im Bundesrat\u201c, Limmat Verlag, Z\u00fcrich 1985<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[106]<\/a> https:\/\/www.pamp.com\/content\/our-story<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[107]<\/a> MKS on Nexis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[108]<\/a> https:\/\/opencorporates.com\/companies\/bs\/163837B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[109]<\/a> https:\/\/panamapapers.investigativecenters.org\/drc\/<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[110]<\/a> https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-01-04\/uae-faces-risk-of-inclusion-on-global-watchlist-over-dirty-money<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[111]<\/a> https:\/\/www.uaefreezones.com\/UAEOffshore_Banking.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[112]<\/a> https:\/\/fsi.taxjustice.net\/PDF\/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.fatf-gafi.org\/countries\/u-z\/unitedarabemirates\/documents\/mer-uae-2020.html<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.internationalinvestment.net\/news\/4042837\/uae-risk-joining-malta-fatf-grey-list-aml-concerns<\/a> ; https:\/\/merip.org\/2002\/03\/gray-money-corruption-and-the-post-september-11-middle-east\/<\/a> ; https:\/\/www.tellerreport.com\/news\/2019-10-14%E2%80%94%22Tahnoun-bin-zayed%22%E2%80%94-what-do-you-know-about-the-shadow-prince-in-the%20-uae%E2%80%93.BJ_22kMFr.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[113]<\/a> https:\/\/ibiworld.eu\/en\/socotra-the-last-wonderful-enchanted-island\/<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Emirates: The world's biggest criminal paradise","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"emirates-the-worlds-biggest-criminal-paradise","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=6057","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":6},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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